Noir

Escape to the South of France with a visit to this chic bistro located in the heart of Richmond. Headed up by chef Peter Roddy, Noir is a charming neighbourhood gem with a buzzing energy and seriously good French fare. Kick things off with a few oysters ($5 each) and a French 75 ($24) before tucking into entrees like chicken liver parfait ($20), beef tartare ($19) and Mooloolaba prawn tortellini with shellfish bisque ($24). For mains, expect dishes like caramelised Atlantic scallops with squid ink and cuttlefish risotto ($36), confit duck with cider potato fondant and spiced lentils ($40) and scotch fillet with frites and sauce au poivre (peppercorn sauce) for $45. Or, opt for the ever-changing tasting menu displayed on the blackboard, priced at $80 per person.

While Noir is known for its contemporary (and fairly pricey) French dishes, it does have one affordable feast that's hard to pass up. The super-popular seafood lunch special will see you sitting down to two courses, plus a glass of top-quality wine, for just $45. If you've got a little time (and a few extra dollars) to spare, you can bump that up to two hours of free-flowing wine for an additional $30 per person.

For drinks, there's a concise cocktail list and some local beers on offer. When it comes to wine, though, you can expect a lengthy list of Aussie and French drops, including a few amber and skin-contact vinos.